Patriots coach Mike Vrabel sparks a heated debate with his bold statement on quarterback hits! Vrabel praises linebacker Christian Elliss' hard tackle on Giants QB Jaxson Dart, emphasizing that quarterbacks are fair game if they stay in bounds. But here's where it gets controversial: Vrabel's philosophy might raise some eyebrows.
Vrabel, in an interview on WEEI, reveals his advice to his own quarterback, Drake Maye. He warns Maye that if he runs along the sideline without getting out of bounds, he's exposing himself to legal hits from the defense. And Vrabel doesn't shy away from coaching his defenders to do just that.
In his own words, Vrabel says, "We show that to Drake and instruct our defenders accordingly. I tell Maye not to get too close to the sideline, and then I turn to the defense and say, 'If the quarterback doesn't protect himself, we need to deliver a legal but powerful hit.'" The coach's approach is clear: protect your own quarterback, but don't hold back when the opponent is vulnerable.
The Patriots' defense took this message to heart, as they delivered multiple hard hits on Dart during the Monday night game, as reported by NBC Sports. Vrabel was thrilled with the aggressive play, stating, "It was excellent. If a quarterback is in bounds and not sliding, we have to make the tackle. We can't let them run freely along the sideline."
But is this strategy too aggressive? Vrabel's comments might stir up a conversation about player safety and the limits of physical play. What do you think? Is Vrabel's approach a fair tactic or a potential cause for concern? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's discuss the fine line between legal hits and player welfare.
